Louisiana GOP chair Beats Back Lawmaker Attempt to Oust Him

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana Republicans have retained their party’s leader.

The GOP's governing body spurned an effort Saturday from a state lawmaker to unseat him amid criticism of management and handling of the last governor’s race. The Republican State Central Committee kept New Orleans businessman Louis Gurvich in the job he’s held since 2018. Gurvich defeated Alexandria Rep. Lance Harris. The Advocate reported party officials said the vote was 134-61 for Gurvich.

The vote came during a long meeting Saturday where many present in a 200-plus crowd didn’t wear masks to protect against the coronavirus. Party officials said face coverings were required, but the requirement wasn’t visibly enforced.